Rally in Gaza calling for swift transition – in pictures

Published today (updated) 11/05/2011 18:03
GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Hundreds of Palestinians came out en-masse calling for leaders to protect the fragile reconciliation process, in a Wednesday afternoon rally in Gaza City.

The demonstration started in front of the Abu Khadra government headquarters building and saw protesters march toward the Square of the Unknown Soldier in the center of Gaza City. Civil society groups, scouts and police joined in the event, walking side-by-side in a sign of internal unity.

Participants held Palestinian flags and chanted “the people want to protect the agreement,” “the people and the police are united,” “Gaza and the West Bank, one government,” in slogans which echoed calls for regime change on streets across the Middle East.

Ala Hamouda of the alliance of civil factions spoke with Ma’an from the event, saying it was an essential outpouring of concern.

“First we must see the release of political prisoners as promised,” he said, explaining that this would be a first step towards a real change in the political atmosphere, and a concrete sign of the end of division for the people.

Under a unity agreement signed by Palestinian factions in Cairo on May 4, a transitional government would be formed paving the way for elections within the year, and committees were to be set up to lay out a government platform, and to ensure actions on the ground reflected the new unified stance of the government.

Fahmi Kan’an, a Fatah member who was deported from the West Bank to Gaza following the siege of the Nativity Church, said he and other deportees had joined in the rally “to demand quick achievements in the implementation of the agreement,” adding that he was eager to see a new unified government take hold.

Officials have said that delegates will meet in Cairo on Saturday to set the new government, expected to be made of independent technocrats. A Fatah official said the new body would step into power in ten days.

With a week already passed since the declaration ending rivalry was signed, anticipation has grown to see progress on implementation.

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